BOSTON — It’s almost time for Bruins head coach Claude Julien to make a big decision about his back end.

Defenseman Johnny Boychuk could be back ready to play as early as Wednesday, less than a month since he suffered a fractured forearm.

Don’t think for a second that Adam McQuaid didn’t know that despite some solid play in the eight games prior to tonight’s 3-0 win over New Jersey tonight at TD Garden, he was a candidate to go back to the press box. So in his ninth game dressed since he was a healthy scratch for the first six, he made his pitch for playing time early.

It took just one shift and 3:05 of game time for McQuaid to drop the gloves with Rod Pelley. After losing his footing, McQuaid got back up and matched the Devils forward punch for punch as you can see here:

“Well, we’ve been kind of having some slow starts as of late,” said McQuaid after the game. “It was my first shift and I just thought I would get the guys going, get the crowd excited, and yeah, you know, that’s about it.”

McQuaid finished with 9:05 of ice time and three blocked shots. For the season, he has an even plus/minus and has averaged 12:14 of ice time. A stay-at-home defenseman who has to put his physicality to use to be effective, McQuaid certainly let his teammates know he intends to be a part of their lineup for longer than maybe it was previously expected.

“I think he did a great job,” said fellow rugged defenseman Mark Stuart. “I think we were all into the game right away, but then to have that [fight], I think that got us going even more. I think that was definitely part of our good start. You’ve got to give him credit for helping us come out with our first goal.”

So McQuaid has put his best foot, and fists, forward in an effort to keep getting a sweater from his coach.

“I mean, I guess it’s in the back of my mind,” said McQuaid. “When I’m playing I try not to worry too much about it. I think you can try and do too much when you’re worrying about stuff like that. I definitely want to show that I was able to contribute. Hopefully … we will see what happens. It’s out of my control.”

I would certainly keep McQuaid in the line-up over Hunwick. His game is simple and physical and that’s what you want out of your 5/6 D-Man, who sees maybe 10 minutes a game. Yes, we need puck movers (BADLY) but another call-up isn’t going to help that. The NHL is a huge step from the A’, especially when it comes to having the confidence to make more creative passes out of your own end. Just ask Ference who makes some of the worst decisions ever. If the B’s had someone in their system they felt could make that step, trust me, they’d be here.
I can also guarantee McQuaid won’t take Paille’s spot. Teams rarely dress 7 d-men. I hear the idea of dressing Hunwick as a forward, but Paille is still a better option up front. As weak as he’s looked at times, I see a lot more confidence in his game. Hunwick is only as good as the partner he plays with and has never equaled the promise he showed before losing his spleen. Similar to Ference who’s +/- has been boosted only by our quick start and playing more minutes with Chara lately. I love his character but he gives me a heart-attack whenever he’s on the ice… I guess we’ll see.

Ference is averaging 20 min a game and is a plus 3 in the last 5 games, in which the B’s lost 3. He did lay a stinker vs wash but you don’t fill 20 min a game with a call up from Prov.
It seems it’s now trendy to hate on a Bruin but I’d be careful what you wish for.

McQuaid played a little scared in the playoffs last year, but he’s doing well….and is easily better than the B’s weakest d-man, Ference. I’d be happy to see Ference sit, since his salary makes him nearly impossible to move and he is just a general liability. He’s the new Wideman: one step forward, two steps back.

To keep Mc Quaid or not to keep him – that is the question. The B’s most glaring weakness is still the lack of a puck moving defenceman. Maybe a promotion of Bartkowski (or Kampfer) from Providence would ausage that problem. Paille hasn’t reponded as effectively as I had hoped during Krejci’s injury and perhaps could be sent down to alleviate cap concerns re a promotion. Hunwick on the wing would replace Paille’s speed. B’s would still have 5 big defenders capable of playing regularly, and Ferrence would be pushed to keep his place on the team. To my mind, he is still the most vulnerable of the rearguard and also valuable trading chip. His salary might make him hard to move though.

McQuaid isn’t really the best 6th defenseman we could want in terms of skill level, but he is bringing the compete level up right now, and that is what we need. Paille hasn’t earned his time, so send him back to the suit and tie affair.